Breast cancer is a long-term threat to women's health. With the development of medical technology, many cancer patients can receive surgical removal of axillary lymph nodes or postoperative radiotherapy to improve their survival rate. But about a quarter to a fifth of patients will have lymphedema of upper limbs, stiffness of limbs, and even frozen shoulder. Doctors suggest that people at high risk of lymphedema should keep 5 important points in mind after surgery to prevent lymphedema from affecting their quality of life.

Postoperative Lymphedema Requires Surgery in 10% of Cases

The initial stage of lymphedema usually has no obvious symptom. The patient only finds that her/his hands a little tight, but she/he doesn’t take it seriously. Patient doesn't come to see the doctor until the hand getting swollen, affecting activity, feeling painful and even subluxative of his shoulder joint.

Generally speaking, most patients can be improved by conservative treatment as long as the symptoms are detected early, and only 10% of cases are serious enough to require surgical treatment.

Depending on the severity of lymphedema, the surgical modality may vary from person to person, including lymph node transplantation plus removal of subcutaneous diseased tissue, and postoperative rehabilitation and exercise therapy.

Postoperative Edema Rate is up to One Quarter

Lymphedema is the inability of the lymph in the body to circulate smoothly back to the heart, resulting in the accumulation of lymph fluid in the extremities. It causes chronic proximal lymphatic obstruction and swelling, which in turn leads to stiffness in the extremities affecting shoulder mobility and causes frozen shoulder. In addition, affected by poor lymphatic circulation and tissue swelling, limbs are susceptible to chronic inflammation and infection, tissue fibrosis, and eventually to thicker and darker limbs similar to an elephant’s leg.

Generally speaking, after lymphadenectomy, patients with breast cancer will be taught to exercise to prevent lymphedema. Only a few patients with obvious lymphedema will be referred to the rehabilitation department for treatment. More serious cases may be treated by appropriate surgery after the surgeon's assessment.

Five Essentials of Preventing Lymphedema to Reduce Lymph

• After the operation, with the guidance of doctors or health education teachers, do some exercises to prevent tissue contracture and sclerosis and frozen shoulder.
• At the onset of lymphedema, by following the advice of a rehabilitation physician or physiotherapist, do a lymphedema massage from the proximal end of the limb to the distal end, exercise moderately, and wear a pressure garment to increase tissue pressure and reduce lymph production. It should be noted that people with edema-prone constitution should also wear a pressure garment to adjust high-altitude pressure during flying.
• Reducing the consumption of salty or high protein foods, not overeating, and weight control can prevent edema and ease the burden of lymph.
• Avoid SPA, heat therapy or intense exercise on the affected side, so as to avoid blood vessel dilation and increase the production of lymphatic fluid.
• Protect and treat wounds and prevent dry skin and infection.